Stacking and interlocking carton



Dec. 17, 1963 J. M. DUNKIN smcxmc AND INTERLOCKING CARTON Filed Nov. 1.1961 10 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 17, 1963 J. M. DUNKIN v STACKING ANDINTERLOCKING CARTON 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed- Nov. 1. 1961 5y mwm ww Dec.17, 1963 Filed NOV. 1, 1961 J. M. DUNKIN STACKING AND INTERLOCKINGCARTON 10 Sheets-Shet s Dec. 17, 1963 Filed NOV. 1, 1961 J. M. DUNKINSTACKING AND INTERLOCKING CARTON 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 famed Dec. 17, 1963J. M. DUNKIN STACKING AND INTERLOCKING CARTON l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 FiledNOV. 1, 1961 Dec. 17, 1963 J. M. DUNKINI STACKING AND INTERLOCKINGCARTON 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 1, 1961 Dec. 17, 1963 J. M. DUNKINSTACKING AND INTERLOCKING CARTON 10 Sheets-Shet 8 Filed NOV. 1, 1961 11E \fwvm WkQMM/Zu 5 Wmy Dec. 17, 1963 J. M. DUNKIN STACKING ANDINTERLOCKING CARTON 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Nov. 1, 1961 Dec. 17, 1963J. M. DUNKIN STACKING AND INTERLOCKING CARTON l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 FiledNov. 1, 1961 United States Patent Ofiice 3,114,493 Patented Dec. 17,1963 3 114,493 STACKING AND IIETERIIGCKING CAR'IIGN James M. Dunlrin,Armdale, Halifax, Nova Scot1a, Ganada, assignor to Industrial ContainersLimited, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, a corporation of Canada FiledNov. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 149,289 Claims priority, application- CanadaSept. 14, 1961 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-34) This invention relates to cartonsand more particularly to the type of stacking carton formed from aone-p1e ce blank and suitable for transporting soft, perishable fruitssuch as berries and the like.

Heretofore, many proposals have been made to form stacking cartons fromone-piece blanks but these have not been too satisfactory. One of therequisites for such cartons is that they should be capable of beingerected on the spot in the field without theme of glue, staples, andlike fastening means employed in conjunction with, what is known in theart as, a manufacturers gap or closure. Another requisite is that suchcartons should be strong enough to withstand normal outside pressuresencountered during transportation and yet permit the passage of air overthe contents so as to assist in the delay of the deterioration thereof.Moreover, another requisite is that such cantons should be capable ofbeing stacked upon one another for shipment purposes, without shifting,either laterally or longitudinally, during transportation.

Thus, it is the object of the present invention to provide a carton,formed from a one-piece blank, which will include all of the abovedesirable features.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the preferred type of onepiece blank adaptedto form a stacking carton;

FIGURES 2 to 6 show the blank in various stages during the assembly ofthe carton;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse section taken on the line 7--7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 88 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the car-ton;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 but shows two cartons stackedtogether;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of a modified form of onepiece blank adapted toform a'stacking carton.

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of the type of one-piece blank shown in FIGURE1 but incorporating a modification thereto;

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of an erected carton formed from the blankshown in FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the carton shown in FIGURE 13; and

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of the type of one-piece blank shown in FIGURE11 but incorporating the same modification as is contained in FIGURE 12.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIGURE 1, the one-pieceblank shown therein is scored and incised to provide a main panelindicated generally at 1, which subsequently forms the carton bottom.Each side of the main panel 1 is integrally connected, by means of afirst common score line 2, to a primary panel 3, preferably providedwith one or more apertures 4 therein, each of said primary panelsultimately forming an inner side wall panel of the canton.

Each end of each of the primary panels 3 is integrally connected, bymeans of a second common score line 5, normal to the adjacent firstscore line 2, to a first geminal panel 6 ultimately adapted to formone-half of a first intermediate end wall panel. Each first geminalpanel 6 is provided with a rectangular cut-out portion 7 in one marginalside edge thereof and ultimately forming part of one of a pair ofstacking recesses provided in the upper edge of each end wall of thecanton. The remaining marginal side edge of each first geminal panel '6is provided with a projecting rectangular tongue 8 which ultimatelyforms part of one of a pair of stacking legs projecting from the loweredge of each end wall. The free end edge of each first geminal panel 6is provided with a cut-out portion 9 therein.

Each primary panel 3 is also integrally connected, by means of a thirdcommon score line 10 parallel with but spaced from said first commonscore line 2, to an auxiliary panel 11 provided with apertures 12therein corresponding to the said apertures 4 in the adjacent primarypanel 3, each of said auxiliary panels 11 ultimately forming an outerside wall panel of the carton.

Each end of each of the auxiliary panels 11 is integrally connected, bymeans of a fourth common score line 13, to a second geminal panel 14ultimately adapted to form one-half of a second intermediate end Wallpanel of the carton. Each second gerninal panel 14 is provided with arectangular cut-out portion 15 in one marginal side edge thereof andultimately forming part of one of said pair of stacking recessesprovided in the said upper edge of each end wall of the carton. Theother marginal side edge of each second geminal panel 14 is providedwith a projecting rectangular tongue 16 which ultimately forms part ofone of said pair of stacking legs projecting from the said lower edge ofeach end wall. The free end edge of each second geminal panel 14 isprovided with a cut-out 17 therein.

As will be appreciated from reference to FIGURE 1, the dimensions of thetongues 8 and 16 are preferably less than the dimensions of therectangular cut-out portions 7 and 15 whereas the dimensions of thecut-outs 9 and 17 are preferably the same. It will also be noted thatthe width of each auxiliary panel 11 is preferably slightly greater thanthe width of the adjacent primary panel 3.

Each of the auxiliary panels 11 is integrally connected, by means of afifth common score line 18 parallel with but spaced from said thirdcomm-on score line 10, to an associated tertiary panel 19 whichultimately serves as an intermediate side wall panel of the carton.

Each end of the main panel 1 is integrally connected, by a sixth commonscore line 2-0, in alignment with score line 13, to a first ancillarypanel 21 which ultimately serves as an outer end wall panel of thecar-ton. Each of said first ancillary panels 2 1 is integrallyconnected, by means of a seventh common score line 23, to anintermediate panel 24 each of which ultimately serves as the upper edgeof each end wall of the canton.

Each intermediate panel 24 is integrally connected, by means of aneighth common score line 25, to a second ancillary panel 26 whichultimately serves as an inner end wall panel of the carton. As will beseen from reference to FIGURE 1, the free marginal side edge of eachsecond ancillary panel 26 is preferably provided with a pair ofprojecting locking tongues 27. Moreover, both adjacent first and secondancillary panels 21 and 26 are each provided with correspondingapertures 28.

A pair of spaced rectangular slots 29 are provided in each adjacent pairof first ancillary and intermediate panels 21 and 24, and a similar pairof spaced locking slots 30, but of lesser width than the width of theslots 29, are provided in each end of the main panel 1 adjacent thesixth score line 20.

In assembling a carton, which can be quickly done in the field withoutthe need of adhesive or staples and a manufacturers gap or closure, eachtertiary panel 19 is folded along its associated fifth score line 18 soas to lie parallel with the adjacent auxiliary panel 11 as is shown inFIGURE 2. Each auxiliary panel 11 is then folded aliases along itsassociated third common score line so that the former is parallel withits adjacent primary panel 3 with the associated tertiary panel 19 beinglocated intermediate each said pair of primary and auxiliary panels 3and 11, so as to form sets thereof, such a position being shown inFIGURE 3. In the position shown in FIGURE 3, it will be obvious thateach second geminal panel 14 will be located under its adjacent firstgeminal panel 6.

Each pair of first and second geminal panels 6 and 14 is then bent alongthe associated second and fourth common score lines 5 and 13 so as toproject upwardly from their associated and respective primary andauxiliary panels 3 and 11 as is shown in FIGURE 4.

Thereafter, each primary panel 3 is bent along its associated firstcomrnon score line 2 so as, together With the adjacent auxiliary andtertiary panels 11 and 19, to project upwardly from the main panel 1.Concurrently, the tongues 8 and 16 of each pair of first and secondgeminal panels 6 and 14 will enter an adjacent one of the slots 3%. Thisstage in the assembly of a stacking carton is shown in FIGURE 5.

Thereafter, each first ancillary panel 21 is bent along its sixth commonscore line so as to lie parallel to and in face-to-face contact witheach aligned pair of second geminal panels 14. Each intermediate panel24 is then bent along its associated seventh common score line 23 so asto cover the upper edges of the aligned pairs of first and secondgeminal panels 6 and 14. Finally, each of the second ancillary panels 26is folded along its associated eighth common score line and tucked downinwardly into the carton so as it will be parallel to and inface-to-face contact with each aligned pair of first geminal panels 6,and so that each of the pair of locking tongues 27 will enter anadjacent one of the locking slots 30. An erected carton will then beformed as is shown in plan view in FIGURE 6.

As will be seen from FIGURE 7, each of the pair of mutually opposed sidewalls of the carton is formed from an outer side wall panel 11, an innerside wall panel 3 and an intermediate side wall panel 19. Moreover, asthe lower edge of each outer side wall panel 11 and each intermediateside wall panel 19 projects beyond the bottom, formed by the main panel1, of the carton, a projecting flange is formed. The pair of mutuallyopposed flanges each present a load-bearing edge which serves to preventthe bottom of the carton from contacting the supporting surface uponwhich the carton rests, said flanges each extending continuouslythroughout the length of the carton.

As will be seen from FIGURE 7, the upper edge of each intermediate sidewall panel 19 contacts the associated inner side wall panel 3 whereby,due to the natural resiliency of the material forming the blank, andhence the side wall panels, each side flange is urged outwardly awayfrom the adjacent inner side wall panel 3 and the bottom I of the cartonto form a stacking recess 34 between the lower portion of the inner sidewall panel 3 and its associated intermediate side wall panel 19, eachsaid recess 34 being adapted to receive the upper edge of a side wall ofa carton stacked thereunder.

As will be seen from FIGURE 8, each of the pair of mutually opposed endwalls of the carton is formed from an outer end wall panel 26, a pair ofintermediate end wall panels, the latter being constituted by twoaligned pairs of first and second geminal panels 6 and 14, and an innerend wall panel 21. Due to the fact that the tongues 8 and 16 of eachpair of intermediate end wall panels project through and beyond thelocking slots 30, said tongues form spaced pairs of stacking legsprojecting beyond the bottom of the carton which also assist inmaintaining said bottom away from any surface supporting the carton.

As will be seen more clearly from FIGURE 9, due to the first and secondgeminal panels 6 and 14 of each pair thereof being parallel with eachother, each pair of rectangular cut-out portions 7 and 15, together withthe ad jacent rectangular slot 29 formed in the intermediate panel 24and first ancillary panel 21, and those parts, defined by the edges ofthe cut-out portions in the adjacent first intermediate end wall 6, ofthe upper portion of each inner end wall 26, form a stacking recessindicated at 31. Thus, the upper edge of each end wall is provided witha pair of such stacking recesses 31 each of which is adapted to receivea stacking leg of a superposed carton, as is shown in FIGURE 10. Thatportion, indicated at 32 in FIG- URE 9, of each inner end wall panel 21adjacent a stacking recess 31, serves to prevent movement of thestacking leg of a superposed carton in a longitudinal direction inwardlyof the carton.

As will also be seen from FIGURE 9, the apertures 4 and 1'2 in the innerand outer side wall panels 3 and 11 are in alignment with one another,as are the cut-out portions 9, 17 of the pair of intermediate end wallpanels and the apertures 28 of the inner and outer end wall panels 21and 26, thereby permitting the passage of air throughout the interior ofthe carton.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that any number ofcartons can be stacked upon each other and, through the intermediary ofthe stacking recesses 31 and cooperating stacking legs, longitudinalshifting of the cartons in a stack will be prevented. Moreover, and aswill be seen from FIGURE 10, when the cartons are stacked, the dependingside flanges of an upper carton fit over and grip the upper portion ofthe side walls of a lower carton, each said upper portion being locatedin a stacking recess 34, and thus said flanges, together with thecooperation of the side edges of the stacking recesses 31 with the sideedges of the stacking legs, will prevent shift of the cartons in thestack in a transverse direction. Thus, the prevention of bothlongitudinal and transverse movement gives an extremely rigid stack.

If desired, and as shown in FIGURE 10, the uppermost carton in the stackmay be provided with a top closure 33.

In operation, and when considering the picking of soft fruit such asberries, the fruit picker can readily erect a carton from the one-pieceblank and then place a number of individual fruit punnets therein. Theberries are picked and immediately placed in the punnets and when allpunnets have been filled, the picker erects another carton and repeatsthe picking procedure. The second filled carton is then stacked on thefirst and so on until the stack comprises the required number ofcartons. Each stack is then loaded on to the transport and delivered tothe market or retailer where the punnets are displayed in the cartons.Consequently, the fruit is never handled again from the time of pickinguntil consumption by a customer.

Alternatively, a modified form of stacking carton can bg erected fromthe type of one-piece blank shown in FIGURE 11. From the modified typeof blank shown in FIGURE 11, it will be seen that the tongues 8 and 16and the rectangular cut-outs 7 and 15 have been omitted from the geminalpanels 6 and 14 as have the rectangular slots 29 in the intermediate andfirst ancillary panels 24 and 21. In all other respects, the blank shownin FIG- URE 11 is identical with that shown in FIGURE 1 and the assemblyof the carton follows along lines similar to those described over inconnection with the preferred type of carton, thus it is feltunnecessary to illustrate the various steps in the assembly of themodified carton formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 11.

However, although the stacking legs and stacking recesses are omittedfrom the modified carton, formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 11, theretention of the side wall flanges maintain the bottom of the cartonfrom contacting the surface supporting said carton.

Moreover, the modified carton, formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 11,is still capable of being stacked upon a similar type of carton due tothe depending side flanges of an upper carton fitting over and grippingthe upper portion of the side walls of a carton thereunder.

If desired, a pair of stacking gates may be incorporated in each of theabove-mentioned forms of carton. For example, and referring to FIGURE12, the type of onepiece blank shown in FIGURE 1 may incorporate a firstincision 35 in each first score line 2 as well as a second correspondingincision 36 in each third score line It). Each of the primary panels 3may incorporate a third incision 37 connecting-each pair of associatedfirst and second incisions 35, 36 together, as well as a score line 38connecting the other ends of each pair of associated first and secondincisions 35, 36 together. Thus, the incisions 35, 36 and 37, and thescore line 33, define a stacking gate panel indicated generally at 39, apair of such gate panels being provided.

, When the carton is erected, and if desired, each stacking gate 39 canbe pulled inwardly into the carton and away from the inner side wallpanel'so that said gates are co-extensive and extend along the centraltransverse axis of the carton as is shown in FIGURE 13. FIGURE 14 showssuch a carton in perspective with the gates partially opened.

It will be appreciated that when the gates 39 are in their operativeposition, they will assist in supporting the bottom of a carton placedthereon.

FIGURE 15 shows the type of one-piece blank shown in FIGURE 11 butincorporating a similar pair of locking gates 39 which operate in amanner similar to the gates shown in FIGURES 12 to 14, it being feltunnecessary to discuss the blank in any greater detail.

I claim:

1. A stacking and interlocking cart-on formed of resilient material andhaving a wall structure comprising a pair of mutually opposed sidewalls, a pair of mutually opposed end walls, and a bottom; each of saidside walls being constituted by an inner side wall panel having a pairof spaced vertical end edges and integrally connected, at its loweredge, to an adjacent side edge of said bottom; an outer side wall panelintegrally connected to the upper edge of said inner side wall panel andhaving a greater depfla than the depth of said inner side wall panel,each of said outer side wall panels having a pair of spaced vertical endedges, and an intermediate side wall panel integrally connected to thelower edge of said outer side wall panel and located between the latterand said inner side wall panel with its upper portion contacting thelatter, the lower portion of each said outer side wall panel and thelower portion of its associated intermediate side wall panel forming aflange extending continuously throughout the length of said carton andprojecting beyond said bottom, the lower edge of each said flangepresenting a load bearing edge, the natural resiliency of saidintermediate side wall panel forcing its said lower portion andthe saidlower portion of the associated outer side wall panel outwardly of thecarton and away from the lower portion of the associated inner side wallpanel and said bottom thereby to form a stacking recess between saidlower portion of said inner side wall panel and said lower portion ofsaid intermediate side wall panel, said recess being adapted to receivethe upper edge of a side wall of a carton stacked thereunder; each ofsaid end walls being constituted by an inner end wall panel, an outerend wall panel integrally connected, at its lower edge, to an adjacentend edge of said bottom, an intermediate panel integrally connecting theupper edge of said inner end wall panel with the upper edge of saidouter end wall panel and forming the upper edge of said end wall, andtwo pairs of geminal end wall panels located between said outer andinner end wall panels; a first panel of one pair of said gemin-al panelsbeing in alignment with a first panel of the remaining pair of saidgeminal panels; each of said first panels of said pairs of geminalpanels being integrally connected to a said vertical end edge of anassociated said inner side wall panel whereby both said first panelsform a first intermediate end wall in face-to-face contact with saidinner wall panel; a second panel of said one pair of geminal panelsbeing in alignment with a second panel of said remaining pair of geminalpanels, each of said second panels of said pairs of geminal panels beingintegrally connected to a said vertical end edge of an associated saidouter side wall panel whereby both said second panels form a secondintermediate end wall in faoe-to-face contact with said associatedfirs-t intermediate end wall and with said associated outer end wallpanel; a pair of locking tongues projecting from the lower edge of eachof said inner end wall panels; a pair of locking slots formed in eachend of said bottom adapted to cooperate with an associated said [lockingtongue whereby all of said panels are locked in mutually cooperatingposition with one another and all of said inner wall panels aresubstantially normal to said bottom; a pair of aligned rectangularcut-out port-ions formed in the upper edge of each of said intermediateend walls; a pair of rectangular slots in each of said intermediatepanels and extending into each said associated outer end wall panel,each of said slots being in registry with a said cut-out portion in asaid first intermediate end wall and a said second intermediate endwall; each of said inner end wall panels extending, throughout itslength, to the height of said intermediate end walls; said pairs ofaligned cut-out portions, each said rectangular slot in registrytherewith, and those parts, defined by the edges of the cut-out portionsin the adjacent first intermediate end wall, of the upper portion of thesaid associated inner end wall panel, forming a pair of transverselyspaced stacking recesses in each of said pair of mutually opposed endwalls; and a pair of rectangular tongues integral with and projectingfrom the lower edge of each of said intermediate end walls, through anadjacent said locking slot in said bottom and terminating in alignmentwith said flanges, said pairs of tongues thereby forming pairs oftransversely spaced stacking legs each adapted to fit into and interlockwith an associated said stacking recess in the end walls of a cartonlocated immediately thereunder; each of said stacking recesses in theend walls of said carton being adapted to receive and interlock with astacking leg of a carton located immediately above, said side edges ofeach of said cut-out portions preventing lateral movement of thestacking legs of cartons in a stack thereof, and said defined parts ofeach of said inner end wall panels preventing longitudinal movement ofthe stacking legs of the cartons in said stack thereof.

2. A carton according to claim 1 including a pair of stacking gatepanels each integrally and hingedly connected to an associated saidinner side wall panel and adapted, when inoperative position, to becoextensive with one another and to extend along the central transverseaxis of the carton.

3. A one-piece blank of resilient material adapted to form a stackingand interlocking carton having a wall structure comprising a pair ofmutually opposed end walls, a pair of mutually opposed side walls, and abottom; said blank comprising a main panel ultimately adapted to formsaid bottom; a pair of primary panels each articulated, along one sideedge thereof, to an adjacent side edge of said main panel and eachultimately adapted to form an inner side wall panel; a pair of auxiliarypanels each articulated along one side edge to the remaining side edgeof an associated said primary panel and each adapted, on folding alongits line of articulation, to form an outer side wall panel, each of thelatter being of a depth greater than the depth of the associated innerside wall panel; a pair of tertiary panels each articulated along oneside edge to the remaining side edge of an associated said auxiliarypanel and each adapted, on folding along its line of articulation, toform an intermediate side wall panel located between an associated pairof said inner and outer side wall panels and connected to its associatedsaid outer side Wall panel along a common lower edge;

the lower portion of each adjacent pair of intermediate and outer sidewall panels projecting beyond said bottom and terminating in said commonlower edge whereby to form a depending side flange extendingcontinuously throughout the length of said carton and presenting aload-bearing edge; the free upper edge of each said intermediate sidewall panel, when the latter is in its said location, contacting itsassociated said inner side wall panel whereby, due to the naturalresiliency of said side wall panels, each said side flange is urgedoutwardly away from the adjacent inner side wall panel and said bottomto form a stacking recess between the lower portion of said inner sidewall panel and its said associated intermediate side wall panel, saidrecess being adapted to receive the upper edge of a side wall of acarton stacked thereunder; (two pairs of first geminal panels each ofwhich is articulated to an adjacent end of each of said primary panelsand adapted, on folding along its line of articulation, to form part ofa first intermediate end wall; two pairs of second geminal panels eachof which is articulated to an adjacent end of each of said auxiliarypanels andadapted, on folding along its line of articulation, to formpart of a second intermediate end wall in face-to-face contact with saidfirst intermediate cnd Wall; a pair of first ancillary panels eacharticulated, along one side edge thereof, to an adjacent end edge ofsaid bottom and each adapted, on folding along its line of articulation,to form an outer end wall panel in face-to-face contact with said firstintermediate end wall; a pair of intermediate panels each articulated,along one side edge thereof, to the remaining side edge of an associatedsaid first ancillary panel and adapted, on folding along its line ofarticulation, to form the upper edge of a said end wall; a pair ofsecond ancillary panels each articulated, along one side edge thereof,to the remaining side edge of an associated said intermediate panel andadapted, on folding along its line of articulation, to form an inner endwall panel in face-to-face contact with said second intermediate endwall; at least a pair of locking tongues eachprojecting from the freeedge of each of said second ancillary panels; and at least a pair oflocking slots each formed in said main panel adjacent to an associatedsaid sixth common score line and adapted, on said folding of said secondancillary panels, to receive and cooperate with an associated said oneof said locking tongues whereby all of said panels are locked inmutually cooperating position with one another and all of said innerwall panels are substantially normal to said bottom.

4. A one-piece blank according to claim 3 including a first incision ineach line of articulation between each primary panel and the main panel,a second corresponding incision in each line of articulation betweeneach primary panel and the associated auxiliary panel, a third incisionin each said primary panel normal to and connecting one end of saidfirst and second incisions together, and a connecting score line,parallel to said third incision, in each of said primary panels forconnecting the other end of said first and second incisions together,said first, second and third incisions, and said connecting score line,defining a stacking gate panel which, on folding of the blank anderection of the carton, forms a stacking gate extending along thecentral transverse axis of the carton.

S. A one-piece blank of resilient material adapted to form a stackingand interlocking carton having a wall structure comprising a pair ofmutually opposed end walls, a pair of mutually opposed side walls, and abottom; said blank comprising a main panel ultimately adapted to formsaid bottom; a pair of primary panels each articulated along one sideedge thereof to an adjacent side edge of said main panel and eachultimately adapted to form an inner side wall panel; a pair of auxiliarypanels each articulated along one side edge to the remaining side edgeof an associated said primary panel and each adapted, on folding alongits line of articulation, to form an outer side wall panel, each of thelatter being of a depth greater than the depth of the associated innerside wall panel; a pair of tertiary panels each articulated, along oneside edge, to the remaining side edge of an associated said auxiliarypanel and each adapted, on folding along its line of articulation, toform an intermediate side wall panel located between an associated pairof said inner and outer side wall panels and connected to its associatedsaid outer side wall panel along a common lower edge, the lower portionof each adjacent pair of intermediate and outer side wall panelsprojecting beyond said bottom and terminating in said common lower edgewhereby to form a depending side flange extending continuouslythroughout the length of said carton and presenting a load-bearing edge;the free upper edge of each said intermediate side Wall panel, when thelatter is in its said location, contacting its associated said innerside wall panel whereby, due to the natural resiliency of said side wallpanels, each said side flange is urged outwardly away from the adjacentinner side wall panel and said bottom to form a stacking recess betweenthe lower portion of said inner side wall panel and its said associatedintermediate side wall panel, said recess being adapted to receive theupper edge of a side wall of a carton stacked thereunder; two pairs offirst geminal panels each of which is articulatedto an adjacent end ofeach of said primary panels and adapted, on folding along its line ofarticulation, to form part of a first intermediate end wall; two pairsof second geminal panels each of which is articulated to an adjacent endof each of said auxiliary panels and adapted, on folding along its lineof articulation, to form part of a second intermediate end wall inface-to-face contact with said first intermediate end wall; arectangular cut-out portion formed in one marginal side edge of each ofsaid geminal panels and a rectangular tongue projecting from theremaining marginal side edge of each of said geminal panels; a pair offirst ancillary panels each articulated, along one side edge thereof, toan adjacent end edge of said bottom and each adapted, on folding alongits line of articulation, to form an outer end wall panel in faceto-facecontact with said first intermediate end wall, a pair of intermediatepanels each articulated, along one side edge thereof, to the remainingside edge of an associated said first ancillary panel and adapted, onfolding along its line of articulation, to form the upper edge of a saidend wall; a pair of aligned rectangular slots formed in eachintermediate panel and extending into each associated first ancillarypanel; a pair of second ancillary panels each articulated, along oneside edge thereof, to the remaining side edge of an associated saidintermediate panel and adapted, on folding along its line ofarticulation to form an inner end wall panel in face-to-face contactwith said second intermediate end Wall; each said slot of each saidaligned pair thereof, on folding of the blank and erection of thecarton, being in registry with a said outout portion formed in anassociated and adjacent first geminal panel and an associated andadjacent second geminal panel, whereby, each said slot, the edges of thesaid associated and adjacent cut-outs and those parts, defined by saidedges, of an adjacent inner end wall panel, form a pair of transverselyspaced stacking recesses in each of said pair of mutually opposed endwalls; a pair of locking tongues each projecting from the free edge ofeach of said second ancillary panels; and a pair of locking slots eachformed in said main panel adjacent to an associated said sixth commonscore line and adapted, on said folding of said second ancillary panels,to receive and cooperate With an associated said one of said lockingtongues whereby all of said panels are locked in mutually cooperatingposition with one another and all of said inner wall panels aresubstantially normal to said bottom; each said rectangular tongueprojecting from each said gerninal panel being adapted, on folding ofthe blank and erection of the carton, to project through an adjacent andassociated said locking slot in said bottom and terminating in alignmentwith said flanges, said tongues thereby forming aligned pairs oftransversely spaced stacking legs each adapted to fit into and interlockwith an associated said stacking recess in the end walls of a cartonlocated immediately thereunder; each of said stacking recesses in theend walls of said carton being adapted to receive and interlock with astacking leg of a carton located immediately above, said side edges ofeach of said cut-out portions preventing lateral movement of thestacking legs of cartons in a stack thereof, and said defined parts ofeach of said inner end wall panels preventing longitudinal movement ofthe stacking legs of the cartons in said stack thereof.

6. A one-piece blank according to claim 5 including a first incision ineach line of articulation between each primary panel and the main panel,a second corresponding incision in each line of articulation betweeneach primary panel and the associated auxiliary panel, a third incisionin each said primary panel normal to and connect- References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,065,804 Guyer Dec. 29,1936 2,326,926 Bureau Aug. 17, 1943 2,828,059 Ross Mar. 25, 19582,893,621 Hamish July 7, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,210,384 France Mar. 8,1960 1,221,754 France June 3, 1960

1. A STACKING AND INTERLOCKING CARTON FORMED OF RESILIENT MATERIAL ANDHAVING A WALL STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PAIR OF MUTUALLY OPPOSED SIDEWALLS, A PAIR OF MUTUALLY OPPOSED END WALLS, AND A BOTTOM; EACH OF SAIDSIDE WALLS BEING CONSTITUTED BY AN INNER SIDE WALL PANEL HAVING A PAIROF SPACED VERTICAL END EDGES AND INTEGRALLY CONNECTED, AT ITS LOWEREDGE, TO AN ADJACENT SIDE EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM; AN OUTER SIDE WALL PANELINTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID INNER SIDE WALL PANEL ANDHAVING A GREATER DEPTH THAN THE DEPTH OF SAID INNER SIDE WALL PANEL,EACH OF SAID OUTER SIDE WALL PANELS HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED VERTICAL ENDEDGES, AND AN INTERMEDIATE SIDE WALL PANEL INTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO THELOWER EDGE OF SAID OUTER SIDE WALL PANEL AND LOCATED BETWEEN THE LATTERAND SAID INNER SIDE WALL PANEL WITH ITS UPPER PORTION CONTACTING THELATTER, THE LOWER PORTION OF EACH SAID OUTER SIDE WALL PANEL AND THELOWER PORTION OF ITS ASSOCIATED INTERMEDIATE SIDE WALL PANEL FORMING AFLANGE EXTENDING CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF SAID CARTON ANDPROJECTING BEYOND SAID BOTTOM, THE LOWER EDGE OF EACH SAID FLANGEPRESENTING A LOAD-BEARING EDGE, THE NATURAL RESILIENCY OF SAIDINTERMEDIATE SIDE WALL PANEL FORCING ITS SAID LOWER PORTION AND THE SAIDLOWER PORTION OF THE ASSOCIATED OUTER SIDE WALL PANEL OUTWARDLY OF THECARTON AND AWAY FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ASSOCIATED INNER SIDE WALLPANEL AND SAID BOTTOM THEREBY TO FORM A STACKING RECESS BETWEEN SAIDLOWER PORTION OF SAID INNER SIDE WALL PANEL AND SAID LOWER PORTION OFSAID INTERMEDIATE SIDE WALL PANEL, SAID RECESS BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVETHE UPPER EDGE OF A SIDE WALL OF A CARTON STACKED THEREUNDER; EACH OFSAID END WALLS BEING CONSTITUTED BY AN INNER END WALL PANEL, AN OUTEREND WALL PANEL INTEGRALLY CONNECTED, AT ITS LOWER EDGE, TO AN ADJACENTEND EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM, AN INTERMEDIATE PANEL INTEGRALLY CONNECTING THEUPPER EDGE OF SAID INNER END WALL PANEL WITH THE UPPER EDGE OF SAIDOUTER END WALL PANEL AND FORMING THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID END WALL, ANDTWO PAIRS OF GEMINAL END WALL PANELS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID OUTER ANDINNER END WALL PANELS; A FIRST PANEL OF ONE PAIR OF SAID GEMINAL PANELSBEING IN ALIGNMENT WITH A FIRST PANEL OF THE REMAINING PAIR OF SAIDGEMINAL PANELS; EACH OF SAID FIRST PANELS OF SAID PAIRS OF GEMINALPANELS BEING INTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO A SAID VERTICAL END EDGE OF ANASSOCIATED SAID INNER SIDE WALL PANEL WHEREBY BOTH SAID FIRST PANELSFORM A FIRST INTERMEDIATE END WALL IN FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH SAIDINNER WALL PANEL; A SECOND PANEL OF SAID ONE PAIR OF GEMINAL PANELSBEING IN ALIGNMENT WITH A SECOND PANEL OF SAID REMAINING PAIR OF GEMINALPANELS, EACH OF SAID SECOND PANELS OF SAID PAIRS OF GEMINAL PANELS BEINGINTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO A SAID VERTICAL END EDGE OF AN ASSOCIATED SAIDOUTER SIDE WALL PANEL WHEREBY BOTH SAID SECOND PANELS FORM A SECONDINTERMEDIATE END WALL IN FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH SAID ASSOCIATED FIRSTINTERMEDIATE END WALL AND WITH SAID ASSOCIATED OUTER END WALL PANEL; APAIR OF LOCKING TONGUES PROJECTING FROM THE LOWER EDGE OF EACH OF SAIDINNER END WALL PANELS; A PAIR OF LOCKING SLOTS FORMED IN EACH END OFSAID BOTTOM ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH AN ASSOCIATED SAID LOCKING TONGUEWHEREBY ALL OF SAID PANELS ARE LOCKED IN MUTUALLY COOPERATING POSITIONWITH ONE ANOTHER AND ALL OF SAID INNER WALL PANELS ARE SUBSTANTIALLYNORMAL TO SAID BOTTOM; A PAIR OF ALIGNED RECTANGULAR CUT-OUT PORTIONSFORMED IN THE UPPER EDGE OF EACH OF SAID INTERMEDIATE END WALLS; A PAIROF RECTANGULAR SLOTS IN EACH OF SAID INTERMEDIATE PANELS AND EXTENDINGINTO EACH SAID ASSOCIATED OUTER END WALL PANEL, EACH OF SAID SLOTS BEINGIN REGISTRY WITH A SAID CUT-OUT PORTION IN A SAID FIRST INTERMEDIATE ENDWALL AND A SAID SECOND INTERMEDIATE END WALL; EACH OF SAID INNER ENDWALL PANELS EXTENDING, THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH, TO THE HEIGHT OF SAIDINTERMEDIATE END WALLS; SAID PAIRS OF ALIGNED CUT-OUT PORTIONS, EACHSAID RECTANGULAR SLOT IN REGISTRY THEREWITH, AND THOSE PARTS, DEFINED BYTHE EDGES OF THE CUT-OUT PORTIONS IN THE ADJACENT FIRST INTERMEDIATE ENDWALL, OF THE UPPER PORTION OF THE SAID ASSOCIATED INNER END WALL PANEL,FORMING A PAIR OF TRANSVERSELY SPACED STACKING RECESSES IN EACH OF SAIDPAIR OF MUTUALLY OPPOSED END WALLS; AND A PAIR OF RECTANGULAR TONGUESINTEGRAL WITH AND PROJECTING FROM THE LOWER EDGE OF EACH OF SAIDINTERMEDIATE END WALLS, THROUGH AN ADJACENT SAID LOCKING SLOT IN SAIDBOTTOM AND TERMINATING IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FLANGES, SAID PAIRS OFTONGUES THEREBY FORMING PAIRS OF TRANSVERSELY SPACED STACKING LEGS EACHADAPTED TO FIT INTO AND INTERLOCK WITH AN ASSOCIATED SAID STACKINGRECESS IN THE END WALLS OF A CARTON LOCATED IMMEDIATELY THEREUNDER; EACHOF SAID STACKING RECESSES IN THE END WALLS OF SAID CARTON BEING ADAPTEDTO RECEIVE AND INTERLOCK WITH A STACKING LEG OF A CARTON LOCATEDIMMEDIATELY ABOVE, SAID SIDE EDGES OF EACH OF SAID CUT-OUT PORTIONSPREVENTING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE STACKING LEGS OF CARTONS IN A STACKTHEREOF, AND SAID DEFINED PARTS OF EACH OF SAID INNER END WALL PANELSPREVENTING LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF THE STACKING LEGS OF THE CARTONS INSAID STACK THEREOF.